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Kuala Lumpur vs Manila

Kuala Lumpur and Manila cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

The bright lights of Bukit Bintang.
Kuala Lumpur
$1,171/month · Malaysia
Will Simmonds from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, China · CC BY 2.0
Binondo skyline skyscrapers
Manila
$1,207/month · Philippines
Patrickroque01 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Kuala Lumpur monthly
$1,171
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Manila monthly
$1,207
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+3%
Manila relative to Kuala Lumpur
Rent gap
$100
Kuala Lumpur costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Kuala LumpurManila
  • Housing
    Housing: Kuala Lumpur $600, Manila $500. Cheaper in Manila.
  • Food
    Food: Kuala Lumpur $300, Manila $366. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Transport
    Transport: Kuala Lumpur $40, Manila $48. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Kuala Lumpur $86, Manila $121. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Kuala Lumpur $14, Manila $16. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Kuala Lumpur $90, Manila $104. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Other
    Other: Kuala Lumpur $42, Manila $52. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricKuala LumpurManila
Cost
Total monthly cost1,171 USD✓1,207 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)18✓19
Housing600 USD500 USD✓
Utilities86 USD✓121 USD
Food300 USD✓366 USD
Transport40 USD✓48 USD
Healthcare14 USD✓16 USD
Lifestyle90 USD✓104 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,698 USD6,021 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate31.6%27.7%✓
Left over each month4,527 USD4,814 USD✓
Average local net salary1,000 USD✓450 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre600 USD500 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,300 USD1,100 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre2,600 USD✓3,400 USD
Quality of life
Safety68/100✓46/100
Healthcare76/100✓58/100
Air quality50/100✓34/100
Public transport70/100✓30/100
Walkability58/100✓44/100
English proficiency84/10086/100✓
Nightlife72/10078/100✓
Family friendliness74/100✓60/100
Median broadband180 Mbps✓120 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C28°C
Summer high33°C33°C
Winter low23°C23°C
Sunshine hours per year2,100 h2,100 h
Annual rainfall2500 mm2000 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access60 min✓90 min
CurrencyMYRPHP
Time zoneAsia/Kuala_LumpurAsia/Manila

Kuala Lumpur and Manila cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Kuala LumpurCost of living in ManilaConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Kuala Lumpur or Manila cheaper?

Kuala Lumpur and Manila cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

What salary do you need in Manila compared with Kuala Lumpur?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,698 a month in Kuala Lumpur and $6,021 in Manila, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Kuala Lumpur or Manila?

Kuala Lumpur scores 68/100 on safety and 76/100 on healthcare; Manila scores 46 and 58. Kuala Lumpur averages 28°C against 28°C in Manila.